While the voice of dissension is gathering momentum in some of the proposed sanctuaries locations like Padia in Koraput district and Lakheri in Ganjam district, the tribals of Kotagarh of the Kandhamal district have already started giving many sleepless nights to the local administration.

The proposed Kotagarh sanctuary is spread over three tribal dominated blocks of Kandhamal district, Kotagarh, Tumudibandha and Daringbadi.

According to reports, about 32,000 people, mostly tribals, will be displaced due to the proposed Kotagarh Sanctuary (covering about 400 sq km of forest area) and loose their means of livelihood.

Government has even banned shifting cultivation and seasonal collection of minor forest produce since 1996, the two major sources ofincome of the tribals. The tribals are allegedly responsible for destruction of forests.

Kotagarh tribals, however, deny that they destroy jungles by shifting cultivation. The tribals argue that they clear up a patch of land which is not covered by thick forests and do not even cut big trees on it. They say by cultivating one patch of land just for two to three years, they leave it for regeneration.

Sources said, owing to ban on shifting cultivation, living condition of a large number of denizens has worsened further. The tribals are left with no source of living except roots and tubers in the jungle. Occasionally, they get work in some government sponsored construction activities.

In protest, the tribals even boycotted the last Lok Sabha election and reports from the office of the Election Commission reveal that no one turned up to vote in as many as 22 polling booths in the area. It also drew a lot of media attention in Orissa.

‘‘Why should we vote when the government is least worried about ourwelfare? If it is interested in animal protection and environment conservation, let it expect the animals to vote, says Shyam Sundar Patta Majhi, a leader of Pahadi Sangrami Manch set up to fight for the Kotagarh people. There are many like Majhi who are irked by the governments move which would deprive them of their daily bread.

The State Government has already issued four notices on the proposed sanctuary, the last one (served on July 10, 1998) asking the tribals to voice their grievances. The forth notice says that only those persons who have patta of their land can voice their grievances.

However, the fact is most of the tribals do not have pattas as they have been living inside the forest area and continuing cultivation since ages. The government in its notice has said that it would apprehend that there is no objection for the proposed sanctuary, if no one comes forward with grievances.

On the contrary, the tribals ask whether the government will withdraw its project if the tribalsput forward any grievances. This has put the government officials of the area in a quandary.

Meanwhile, the tribals of Kotagarh have stopped cutting bamboos and logs for the Orient Paper Mill, Rayagada and Orissa Forest Development Corporation (OFDC). They allege senior officials, private companies and timber mafia have been largely responsible for loss of forest cover in the area.

When their own life is at stake, why should they ruin the jungles for the interest of a few companies and take the blame thereby, they ask.

The stand against the government by the tribals may take a nasty turn anytime in the near future if the former continues to remain rigid on the sanctuary issue. They leaders of Pahadi Sangrami Manch demand the government should either stop the sanctuary project or go for complete rehabilitation package for the locals before start of any work.